Toronto Maple Leafs October Roundup: Who’s hot and who’s not?
Which Maple Leafs players have provided an early impact for the club and which ones have struggled?
As the month of October comes to an end, we have witnessed both the hot and cold versions of the Toronto Maple Leafs in the process. They began the year piping hot, as they looked like world beaters with their offense, defense, and goaltending firing on all cylinders.
Just when things were sailing along, the Toronto Maple Leafs ultimately ran into a rut that saw their dominating play drop off, resulting in some demoralizing losses during the past week. They appeared to have right the ship once again to start the final week of October when they jumped out to a commanding 4-0 lead on the unbeaten Winnipeg Jets on Monday. However, their sluggish play would rear its ugly head once again as the game progresses as they barely hung on for the 6-4 win in the end.
The worrisome hot and cold play wasn’t just a trend that was materializing for the team as a whole, but also with many of the individual players as well. But despite their ups and downs, which Maple Leafs players have actually gotten off to a hot start this season, and which ones will need to start stepping up their game soon?
We will take a look at “Who’s hot” and “Who’s not” for the Leafs over the first month of the 2024-25 NHL season.
Toronto Maple Leafs October Roundup: Who’s hot and who’s not?
Hot: Oliver Ekman-Larsson
Signed by the Leafs this offseason to help bring some championship and veteran experience to their back end, Oliver Ekman-Larsson has turned some heads with his play thus far with his new club.
He was expected to be a third pairing guy after struggling in recent years prior to revitalizing his career somewhat by prospering in sheltered minutes with the Florida Panthers last season. To date, Ekman-Larsson appeared to have regained some of his former glory under the new Leafs system.
Not only is he leading all Maple Leafs defenseman offensively in assists (5) and points (6), he has also seen time as the quarterback for their top power play unit. Unfortunately, since the team's first few games he has seemed to fall back to earth. Full marks for the hot start, however.
Not: Nick Robertson
After having a strong training camp in which he led the team with five goals in four games during the preseason, Nick Robertson seemed to be on the verge of finally breaking out this NHL season. Added to the fact that head coach Craig Berube gave him the vote of confidence that he will get his playing time to show what he can do.
The goals aren't going in for Robertson, but he's been playing well and creating chances in a limited role. Patience has begun to grow thin as Robertson was finally healthy-scratched on Monday. He will need to show some of his offensive flare from the preseason if he wants a hold of a spot in the everyday lineup going forward. He is on this list for his lack of production, but he is playing well enough that he likely didn't deserve to be scratched.
Hot: William Nylander
It seemed like it was just not too long ago when William Nylander broke the team record in registering a point in 17 straight games to start a season last year. He certainly hasn’t been racking up the crazy numbers this time around, but he has been off to a great start nonetheless for his 2024-25 NHL campaign as well.
Despite being held off the scoreboard during the past week, he has been a force for the Leafs on the ice for the most part, leading the team in goals with six and ranking second on the team in scoring with 10 points. Moreover, the recent newly-formed line of Nylander with John Tavares and Max Pacioretty looks like a keeper as they produced nine points collectively against the Jets on Monday. Nylander will look to cement himself as one of the team’s best with his strong play.
Not: Pontus Holmberg
After appearing in 54 games for the Leafs last year while posting career-bests in goals with seven and points with 17, Pontus Holmberg was looking to break through this year after securing a starting role entering the 2024-25 season.
Unfortunately, he has struggled mightily with his play to date, posting just one assist in nine total games played while making some costly errors on the ice at times. Instead of taking a step forward, he seemed to have taken a step back and will need to start adjusting his game soon before it’s too late.
Hot: Morgan Rielly
Had this assessment been done a week earlier, Morgan Rielly likely would have fallen in the “Not” category. After all, his offensive potential was expected to explode this season after being given a bonafide defensive partner in Chris Tanev to work with. \
Many expected that it would unleash Rielly’s offensive prowess, much like when he had Ron Hainsey as his partner years ago. Surprisingly, Rielly was off to a slow start to the season, registering just two points in his first seven games along with being taken off the top power play unit altogether.
However, things have looked up for the 30-year-old veteran after being removed from his pairing with Tanev and given a new partner in Ekman-Larsson. The results have been quite impressive, as Rielly has now recorded points in three straight games since the move, including two goals, an assist and 10 shots on goal, all while looking dangerous in the process. It may still be early, but Rielly’s recent turnaround appears to be a step in the right direction heading into November.
Not: David Kampf
After being one of the Leafs most trusted defensive forwards in the past few seasons, David Kampf has been uncharacteristically underperforming so far for Toronto this season. Even with defense being his main focus, Kampf had chipped in with some surprising offensive output in his previous years. However, his offense has been mostly absent in his nine games in 2024-25, as he has registered just one assist.
More significantly, he has started to get less time on the Leafs penalty kill, down almost an entire minute on average compared to previous years. As his effectiveness and usage continues to diminish, Kampf’s role on the team going forward could be in serious jeopardy, especially with players returning from the IR soon.
Hot: Anthony Stolarz
The Leafs probably wouldn’t even be where they are today without the stellar play of goaltender Anthony Stolarz. Signed in free agency during the past offseason to serve in tandem with Joseph Woll, Stolarz appeared to have stolen the crease for the time being with his stellar start to the season.
After spending almost his entire career mainly as a backup, he was thrusted into the starter’s role when Woll began the year on the IR. Stolarz has managed to run away with it as he has compiled a 4-2-1 record with a solid 2.45 GAA and .916 save percentage in seven starts to date. More importantly, he has looked calm and composed when manning the Leafs crease, giving the team a chance to win every night in the process. (All stats from hockey-reference.com and NHL.com)
Hot: Mitch Marner
After a disappointing playoffs last season, Mitch Marner was looking for some redemption entering the 2024-25 NHL season. Well, he has certainly looked like a man on a mission so far for the Leafs. Marner currently leads the team in scoring with one goal, 10 assists for 11 points, while playing in all situations on the ice.
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With his contract set to expire at the end of this season, there’s no doubt he will be playing his heart out for the team and for that next big contract at the same time